An insight into the world of films from a girl obsessed with jellyfish

Day 14 – Trainspotting

Trainspotting. A drug fueled film about a man trying to give up heroin numerous times.

This is one of those films that it’s told you ‘have to watch’. It’s a classic. But one of those controversial ones.

This the second controversial film I’ve watched today, and the one I preferred.

Ewan McGregor, in his true Scottish manner, was fantastic as Mark. He portrayed an equally likable and detestable character, fueled by the heroin and the will to be a better man. You like him because you want him to get off the drugs, wish that he will make it. You dislike him because he isn’t actually that nice a person when it comes down to it. Following the death of his friend’s baby, he has nothing to say but ‘I’m cooking’. Wow. Nice one dude.

The other characters I liked were Tommy and Spud. Tommy, who turned out to be Owen from Grey’s Anatomy, was a decent human being, turned to drugs by Mark, ultimately leading to his death. Nice one Mark. And Spud. Oh Spud. One of those characters that you can’t help to love, even though he’s a complete idiot and probably not that nice a person. Another victim of Mark, seeing as he ends up in jail instead of Mark. Congratulations Mark. You won the award for the ‘prick of the film’.

The story was complicated. I didn’t really know what was going on. But that what was meant to happen. It’s about drugs. That’s never meant to be straightforward. Especially scenes like McGregor climbing into a toilet. I mean, what? It was amusing, but disturbing at the same time.

The problem for me was that the Scottish accent is so thick, and the lingo is so different to how I speak, I didn’t really understand what was being said some of the time. Not that it made any difference, seeing as the whole story was messed up. But I like to understand what’s being said, and the speed in which they spoke made it near impossible for me! (I should probably mention here that I am not being ignorant to accents. I simply have a hearing problem: in two years I may need a hearing aid. I love the Scottish accent. I just can’t hear the words.)

Some of the scenes were hard to watch. The death of the baby and of Tommy. I found those particularly disturbing. Not to mention the whole film being based on drug abuse. That issue in itself is difficult to watch. But it was okay. I think I enjoyed it. It was just about watchable. Not my film of choice. I do love Danny Boyle though. A Life Less Ordinary and Sunshine are fantastic. This one was just a little too intense for me.

I would recommend people to watch this film, if only to say that you have. It is interesting, and insightful into the world of drugs. But if you really don’t like that kind of thing, don’t watch it. It’s not an easy watch, but I guess you could say it’s worth it.